Guia da Herdade
Welcome to Herdade das Barradas da Serra
We opened our Hotel & Country House in 2009, with the idea of sharing with the world this unique space that has been in our family for five generations.
Herdade das Barradas da Serra is - proudly - an active agricultural property. With more than 600 hectares of area, we try to privilege a sustainable balance between our presence and activity, and a deep respect for the unique ecosystem that is the Cork Oak Forest, which almost completely dominates the landscape.
We wanted to create here a space that would honor our history and family tradition, and which would be integrated into its surroundings, using local companies and artisans whenever possible. We privilege comfort, without pretensions, because we want you to feel at home and for this to be a place where you always want to return.
We hope you enjoy your stay with us.
Dias Family
History
Herdade das Barradas da Serra is part of a large group of properties, all of which are family owned, covering almost the entire Serra de Grândola.
At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, work in the countryside was very different, very hard with little or no mechanization, with a lot of manpower and cargo animals. Around 1960, the farm employed more than 70 people, who were divided between the management of cows, sheep and pigs, the production of cereals, the maintenance and exploitation of the forest, the construction and maintenance of the network of roads, the cleaning of fountains and wells, and many other activities.
There are many traces of this strong human presence scattered throughout the estate, in the form of houses, corrals, wells, threshing floors and other constructions which were fundamental to life in the countryside and which we gradually dream of recovering.
Today Herdade das Barradas da Serra consists of five properties: Barradas da Serra, Várzea das Barradas, Corte Freire, Cabeça Gorda and Pedras Alvas. Many of the neighbouring properties belong to other branches of the family, which allows us close ties of collaboration.
This privileged setting is the fruit of the hard work of many generations, men and women who made it evolve and grow, from the opening of the paths in the Serra with mules or oxen and picks, to the present day, with modern practices and this buildings that we are proud to have recovered and rebuilt to share with you.
Exploring the Herdade
Herdade das Barradas da Serra is an active estate in the true sense of the word. Every day something is happening, with great variations according to the times of the year, from the extraction of cork, sowing, the time of lamb births, the production of hay bales, the cleaning and maintenance of the forest, among many other things.
We invite you to visit the property and its various sites, both here, inside the farm houses, where you can see the vegetable garden, the "Giant's Boulevard", with the largest and oldest cork oaks on the estate, the orchard or the sheep pavilion, as well as using our paths, on foot or by bicycle, to explore the six hundred hectares of nature that for five generations we have been striving to maintain and preserve.
Activities
Marked trails
Herdade das Barradas da Serra comprises several properties: Barradas da Serra, Várzea das Barradas, Cabeça Gorda, Corte Freire and Pedras Alvas. Our trails, mostly consisting of paths carved into the mountainside for cork extraction, wind through the various properties, among the cork oaks, along the ridges or at the bottom of the valleys, next to the streams.
Our trails are one of our greatest sources of pride and attract guests from all over the world, who come to walk or cycle.
If you would like to go on a bike ride and haven't brought your own bike, you can hire one from us. We have Mondraker electric bikes and conventional Trek bikes available, as well as helmets. Check availability and place your order at reception or via our business WhatsApp.
There are four marked trails, all with different distances and difficulty levels. Any of the trails can be taken on foot or by bicycle.
Get to know the maps and descriptions of our trails.
Always notify a member of staff before leaving for the trails. Always make sure you have at least two hours of daylight before you leave, and always carry water and mobile phone with you. Avoid going out alone.
Wellness
At the Herdade we are deeply involved in what surrounds us. Although we are embedded in tradition and history, we find it really important to bring other cultures and ancient knowledge into the mix and cross them with the the sensations, smells and ingredients of this piece of land. Espaço Alecrim is the result of this philosophy.
Individual or group Yoga classes, Sound Healing (seasonal) and massage services are available upon request.
Check our Espaço Alecrim massage catalogue here.
These services should be requested, whenever possible, at least one day in advance.
Flavours
From lunch time you can count on a different menu in our living room and porch, more aromatic and very Alentejo. The perfect excuse for a big late afternoon chat or for an evening by the fireplace.
We really like to play with traditional flavours and give them a twist of our experiences and travels. Do be aware of the blackboards at the porch and of staff suggestions, sometimes we go out of script and have different dishes and tapas that are not on the menu.
Take a look at our menu, make an order and book a table using our business WhatsApp.
For dinner, it is mandatory to book before 6pm.
Flavours outside the Herdade
Grândola & Interior
A Espiga (Grândola)
Traditional Alentejo cuisine
Tel. 269 449 190 / 961 164 930
Villa Mariscos (Grândola)
Beerhouse, Fish and Seafood
Telef. 967 067 698
Morena Coffeeshop (Grândola)
Coffee Shop / Brunch
A Venda (Silha do Pascoal)
Traditional local tavern
Telef. 269 477 098
Restaurante Canal Caveira (Canal Caveira)
The best "cozido à portuguesa",
traditional cuisine
Telef. 269 478 178
(Santa Margarida da Serra)
Traditional Alentejo cuisine
Telef. 968 091 367
(Grândola)
Traditional Alentejo cuisine
Telef. 961 730 573
Note: Please dial 00351 before the telephone numbers
Closer to the sea & the river Sado
O Fadista (Melides)
Fresh fish / traditional cuisine
Telef. 269 907 411
Tosca (Melides)
Pizza / Italian Food
Telef. 913 429 897
Cavalariça (Comporta)
Local produce / international cuisine
Telef. 930 451 879
Comporta Café (Praia da Comporta)
Beach restaurant - Fish/Seafood
Telef. 265 497 652 / 265 490 513 / 933 976 521
O Diniz (Lagoa Formosa/Praia do Carvalhal)
Fresh fish/Seafood
Telef. 967 977 193
A Papinha (Alcácer do Sal)
Traditional / Small typical Beerhouse / Seafood
Telef. 265 622 781
Useful information
Electric car charging
The electric car charging service, available in our main car park, is a complementary and free service offered to our guests.
Being a free service and without advanced reservation, we ask you to use it responsibly and to share it with other guests that may need it too.
Entering or Exiting the Herdade
Your room key has attached a remote like one of those below.
The remote allows you to open the gates of the Herdade.
The Farm gate, near the public road, needs to be opened with the remote to enter and to exit. For the hotel gate, you only need the remote to enter. When exiting, the gate detects the car or motorbike automatically. For security reasons and to avoid malfunctions, wait for the gates to be fully open before crossing them.
In case of malfunction or other emergency contact us to +351 961 776 610
Main schedules
Check-in: 3:30pm to 10pm
Check-out: 9am to 11:30am
Breakfast: 9am to 11am
Bar service: (Meals, Salads, "Tapas")
1:30pm to 3pm & 7:30pm to 9pm
In between these periods, simpler options like sandwiches, homemade cakes, tea and others are available.
Living room closes at 10pm.
Driving inside the Herdade
Always respect the speed limits set for everyone's safety and comfort.
Also remember you are in Nature and there are small animals like toads and frogs, rabbits, lizards and other wildlife that are difficult to see and can't protect themselves against cars.
Our surroundings
